In March 2011, Thurston attended a prayer breakfast at First Greater Bethlehem M.B. Church in Chicago for 17th Ward runoff candidate David Moore.

Thurston, a pastor at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, praised Moore as a good alderman for the ward at a “critical time in the African-American community” that suffered from low voter participation, according to the report. Moore lost the runoff election to Ald. Latasha Thomas less than two weeks later.

Thurston’s actions violated state ethics law, which says commissioners are banned from participating in political activities that could influence a candidate’s chances at filling a public office, the report said.

“Although (Thurston) attempted to make a disclaimer limiting the political nature of his comments at the prayer breakfast, he crossed the line into advocacy for a candidate,” the report said.

Moore’s campaign issued a news release after the breakfast naming supporters, including Thurston, but later apologized for using his name.

The report also said Thurston told officials with the executive inspector general’s office that he believed attending the prayer breakfast was not a violation of the ethics law.

Executive Ethics Commission Director Chad Fornoff said a fine was the only sanction available against Thurston because he no longer worked for the state. Thurston could not be reached for comment, but the report said he cooperated and does not contest the commission's decision.

Thurston held the post through 2011, but Gov. Pat Quinn did not reappoint him.